Latch for vanity cases, cigarette cases, and the like



W. E. EVANS Feb. 17, 1931.

LATCH FOR VANITY CASES CIGARETTE CASES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 27, 1950 Patented Feb. 17, 1931 um'rsn stares PATENT OFFICE:

WILLIAM E. EVANS, F "WATER-BURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE WATERBUBIY LOCK AND SPECIALTY COMPANY, 075 WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION LATCH FOR VANITY CASES, CIGARETTE CASES, AND THE LIKE Application filed. February 27, 1930. Serial No. 481,835.

This invention relates to an improvement in latches for vanity cases, cigarette cases, and the like, in which a latch mechanism is arranged in the case and adapted to engage with an eye or loop on the cover, the object being to provide a latch which may be operated by a push-button at one side of the end of the case, to operate the nose of a latch arranged in the center thereof.

The invention consists in the construction as will be hereinafter described and particularly recited in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side View of a vanity case, cigarette case, or similar article, constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the same Fig. 3 is a broken sectional View on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a broken sectional View on the line 4-4 of F ig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a broken sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a broken sectional View on the line 5 66 of 2; and

Fig. 7 1s a perspective View of the latchplate detached. 7 g r In carrying out my invention I employ a case 16 of any approved design and adapted for the purpose desired. Spring-hinged to the case is cover 11 adapted to set substantially flush with the side walls of the case, and this cover is provided at its outer end with an eye 12. Secured to the outer wall of and spring-plate 13. One end of this plate, which is formed from spring-metal, is secured near one side by riveting or otherwise.

As herein shown, the spring-plate is formed with openings 14 to receive tongues 15 struck out of the end of the case. On one edge of the spring-plate is a latch-nose 16 adapted to align with a hole in the case and with the eye 12 in the cover, and the plate is cut away by a slot 17 so as to form a latch-finger 18 which carries the nose 16. The end 19 of the spring-plate is offset so as to stand away from the end of the casing and at the inner endof' the slot 17 a fulcrum 20 is formed by striking a portion of the plate inward to rest upon the outer end of the case is a combinedv latch the end of the case and hold that end of the spring-plate away therefrom.

The free end 19 of this spring-plate extends beneath a push-button 21 mounted in a cap 22 placed over the end of the casing and so that an inward pressure upon the pushbutton 21 will depress the end 19 of the spring-plate and cause the nose of the latch to move out of engagement with the eye 12 in the cover. That is, assuming that the cover is closed, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, an inward movement of the pushbutton 21 will depress theend 19 of the spring-plate and this bearing on the fulcrum 20 will cause the nose end of the finger 18 to p i rise and move out of engagement with the eye, thus unlatching the cover which will then open under the action of the spring, if i a spring-hinge is employed. In any event, it will release the cover.

The cover 11 may'mount a mirror 23 and the casing may be arranged for the reception of compacts 24 or for the reception of cigarettes or other articles. In a cigarette case the mirror would not be necessary and forms no part of this invention.

I claim:

1. The combination with a casing and a cover therefor, said casing formed at the end opposite the hinge with an opening and the cover formed with an eye to register therewith, of a latclrplate secured at one side of the end of the casing, the free end of the latch-plate offset from that end of the casing and formed with an integral latchiinger provided with a latch-nose, a fulcrum extending inward from the offset end of the spring-plate and a push-button mounted in the casing in line with the free end of the latch-plate which is adapted to be depressed thereby, and so that when depressed, the nose of the latch will be lifted out of engagement with the eye in the cover.

2. A latch for vanity cases, cigarette cases and the like, formed from a single strip of spring-metal, said strip adapted to be socured in position at one end and offset at the other end, said plate longitudinally-slotted, forming a latch-arm, said arm having a nose at its free end and said plate also f rmed With a fulcrum located beyond the end of the said slot, whereby, when the free end of the latch-plate is depressed, the nose will be raised. 7

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

WILLIAM E. EVANS. 

